How about this as a place to come to to escape the stresses and strains
of modern life. I'm staying at Strathy Point lighthouse on the north coast of Scotland
Strathy point is a rocky peninsula that sticks out from the north coast of Scotland roughly halfway
between Cape Wrath and Dunnet Head the farthest point north on the mainland of Great Britain.
The seas around here are treacherous and it's surprising that it took until the 1950s
before a decision was made to build a lighthouse here on strathy point. The lighthouse here was
completed in 1958 and was actually the very last manned lighthouse in Scotland it was also
the very first electric lighthouse. The lighthouse was automated in 1997 and in 2012 sadly it was
deactivated completely; the light went off forever - but that means that now I can stay in the
principal lighthouse keeper's cottage. This was very comfortable accommodation for all the family
and as the principal lighthouse keeper he got a cottage looking east sheltered from the prevailing
westerly gales, with incredible views along the coastline and out to Orkney. Don't feel
too sorry for the assistant lighthouse keeper because although he and his family must have
had some very noisy nights as the gales and the waves crashed in from the west,
on calmer nights they also had the beautiful experience of sunsets over Cape Wrath
There's no television in the cottage,
but who needs television - this is the greatest show on earth!
Just down the road from the lighthouse is the awesome spectacle of Strathy beach.
The beautiful solitude of the north
coast!
and if Strathy beach isn't enough for you then come to Melvich, the next village, and bring your
surfboard!
A short drive inland from the lighthouse you'll find the incredible landscape
of the Flows national nature reserve. It may look bleak but it's very much
alive.
A few miles west of Strathy is the little village of Bettyhill
and you've guessed it, it's got another incredible beach!
On the other side of Bettyhill village is Torrissdale Bay.
Now I think this could be the most beautiful view in the whole of the north of Scotland.
Who says men can't multitask? Whilst washing the dishes I'm also watching sheep grazing,
sea birds dive bombing, and the occasional passing dolphin.
Although it's a really sunny day now there's a really strong wind coming in from the north west.
I would not want to be out on a boat right now!
I'm trying to film the waves but at the same time trying not to get
blown off my feet here on the top of the cliff.
It's getting really ferocious out here now I think i'm gonna head back to the
lighthouse!
Wow what a stay that was! Surrounded by the elements, it's easy to understand
why one of Britain's foremost contemporary composers uses this cottage as a retreat.
I really hope to come again - click the subscribe button see you soon!